Al Mazyouna: Basit Mubarak enthusiastically welcomes customers at his restaurant that is famous in Mazyouna for selling Yemeni mandi and succulent camel meat to local people and drivers.
Mubarak ,26 moved to Mazyouna when war struck in his country to look for a living. He said, “I moved to Mazyona about three years ago and started a restaurant with an Omani. The business is good, people like camel meat and many Yemenis moved here earlier because they could earn money. The situation in Hadhramaut is improving.
While sipping on his Yemeni tea, he tells us about how life was so different within few kilometers across the border. He said, “Oman is a great country and Omanis have helped us a lot. People have always helped when world turned their back and they still provide support. The war is continued in Taiz, people need food supplies and there are diseases too but the areas that lies closer to Oman are facing less shortages.”
The Al Mazyouna economic free zone that Oman set up in 1999 to facilitate and regulate commerce with Yemen is looking expanding in terms of trade partially due to the war economy that has emerged over the past 2 years. The porous Omani border is a major transit route for necessities such as petrol, food and cars to Yemen.
“According to a source, the Minister of Commerce visited the free market investors came from Yemen and Oman in the free zone. The officials also held a seminar and opened several projects and the majority of investors are from Yemen. The trade has gained momentum is now sparking interest from people in Yemen as well as people in Dubai. People frequently visit here to seek information about starting businesses and learn the procedures.”
The free zone offers facilities for investors and now the Yemeni government will establish a big hotel. The development of other project includes soft drinks and cars plants. There are several exhibitions will be held to revive the commercial movement in Yemen
He added, “Despite the war in Yemen, there is a big demand by investors. The only port of Yemen port Mazyona is the result of the stability, security and good relationship between Oman and Yemen, which makes it easier for investors to work easily and Oman supports skilled professionals and our province is easily accessible through the island of Socotra, where people usually get their food and supplies from here.”
As the oil tankers and trailers line up at the borer to be cleared for customs, the drivers exchange a quick chat over their cigarettes while they wait for their goods to be cleared. Sadiq, a Pakistani trailer driver said, “we carry food supplies across the border. These are dry food items like spaghetti, canned food and diapers for children. The border from Saudi side is sealed so we have to drive for about 27 hours. Since, the war has struck our trips have increased. The demand of new cars and petrol is pretty high in Yemen. Every day trailer drivers park their trucks so customs can clear it before they are sold. The petrol and car smuggling have significantly reduced since the army’s presence has increased in Mazyona.”
Anwar (name changed), who has lived in Mazyona for past 13 years and is the in-charge of 2-star hotel said, “We have had an extremely busy year. The war evacuees were brought down here before they were taken to Muscat or home countries. We have had groups and officials from various embassies who came to clear their people during the war time. A lot of Yemenis moved here in search of better opportunities. They sell honey and run businesses of whatever the war has left them with. The free market when it opens will provide job opportunities for many young people and will promote the movement of trade and the new road highway is ready runs till the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will also help people to look for jobs.”
